How is life treating you?
Life has had many changes for me over these last few months. I decided to end my 2014 track season early because of my body failing to perform at a high level. I decided to take a leave from my job as a teacher for the next two years. And to top it all off, I have moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, to train full time. Amidst all these changes there have been many challenges, but overall I am ready for my future here in Tennessee.
With school starting up, how is balancing training and work going?
I decided on the last day of school this past June with my principal's support to no longer teach so that I can fully focus on training. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life to date because teaching brings so much joy to my life! It has been so reassuring to have the full support of my boss and fellow teachers with this opportunity as they have all been huge supporters of my running while I was on their team at The Palmetto School.
What has been going on with training and what future plans do you have?
I have been training for the last six weeks after taking two weeks completely off from any physical activity (which I have never done before). This rest was the best decision I have made regarding training in a long time and these last six weeks have probably been more productive than my entire last year of training and racing combined. I am building mileage very slowly--putting a huge emphasis on running form, stride cadence, deep core strength, hydration, nutrition, sleep and the list could go on and on. Investing at an even higher level with these little things will allow my working smart mentality to reap the full benefits in racing this upcoming 2015 track season. My next race will be The Run for Attention on Oct. 11 in Fort Mill where all proceeds will benefit the children at The Palmetto School where I taught. I also plan on doing The Main Street Crit in Columbia in December.
I noticed you recently talk with runners in Charlotte, tell us about the experience and the importance of you talking with groups.
My passion for sharing what running means to me is equally as high as running itself. I love sharing how much running has made me a better person and how it has shaped my life in such a positive way. My hope is to establish myself as an advocate for running and health in my community, and speaking to teams, local running stores, charities and groups will help me do just that!
The Run for Attention is coming up soon, how are you involved, when is it and what goals do the event have?
The Run for Attention is Saturday, Oct. 11 at 8 a.m. in Fort Mill. Race information can be found at www.runforattention.org.
This year I am continuing with my job as course manager which involved set-up/tear down of course markers and set up of volunteers out on the course. This year's race has a new location in Baxter Village, so I am really excited to see if we can reach our 500 runner participant goal! With that being said, numbers are awesome but our main goal is to share how child abuse is real and how it impacts our community, city, state and nation on an alarming scale. Organizations like The Palmetto School need our support because they are making a lasting impression on children whose lives have been devastated at the youngest of ages. Let's give them the support they deserve and race Oct. 11!
Do you hope to get to some cross country meets this year?
This year I was able to make it out to the Providence XC Invitational in Charlotte and definitely plan on being at the State Meet! Moving to Tennessee has disrupted 
some of my race-viewing plans but Jared and Jacob Coccia, juniors at Rock Hill High, will keep me in the loop!
Tell us about using an altitude tent and how it is used.
I was able to purchase an altitude tent using a pro discount from a company called Hypoxico--the leading producer of altitude devices in the world. The tent is 10 feet x 8 feet x 6 feet -- a room within a room! I will start using the tent next week which will have given me plenty of time to adjust to my recent move. I will be using the altitude tent 12-14 hours a day, four to five days per week. The evenings after hard workouts I will sleep at sea level to ensure proper recovery. This "sleep high, train low" mentality will allow my body to reap the benefits of altitude as well as hitting the proper training intensities while living at sea level. I cannot wait to see the performance results!
Please recap your summer experience and how it has prepared for the future.
This summer in Europe was one of the most trying times I have ever experienced in the sport of track and field. After over-training my body for much of the 2014 season, my racing was compromised completely in Europe. I raced three times overseas with results of a 3:44 1500, a 4:07 mile and a 4:20 mile. My body was telling me to stop and rest. I learned so much from failure and losing so many times this season. I will now value rest and recovery in training. These components are the only ways to truly get better and make gains in our sport. Your body not only needs physical rest, but mental rest is just as important.
Lastly, I learned to always have fun running and competing. This is really what our sport is all about, and I let tons of pressure and expectations from last year plague my thoughts with doubt and fear this year. Life is too short and I am too blessed to be as stressed out as I was! Keeping these things in mind as I move forward will help make 2015 my best season yet, and I fully believe that with all my heart!
